The biker has arrived...

You probably wouldn't even notice it was him if he passed you around the city on his Harley. Out with the legend, the staple in the dugout for the past 20 years (25 total), Bobby Cox. And riding in, with the roaring of his motorcycle, former Braves third base coach, Fredi Gonzalez. The Braves made an excellent choice in picking Cox's successor. It's probably common knowledge by now that Cox had a huge part in picking the Braves' next manager. Imagine even when Gonzalez was fired by the Florida Marlins midway through the 2010 season, talks began between him and the Braves.

Gonzalez (276-279) brings to the Braves four years of managerial experience from division rival Florida Marlins.He never got off to a good start with the team because of the unrest with the Marlins organization. Even when the team wins, the fans don't come out. From year to year, talks are ongoing if the Marlins will stay in South Florida or move elsewhere.

Not here. The only move Gonzalez made was the move from Miami to Atlanta. The Braves organization is not going anywhere, but hopefully up to another winning season, and the hunt for another pennant. Gonzalez's coaching staff remains the same except for longtime former Braves second baseman, then firstbase coach, Glenn Hubbard, who was let go. Last years batting coach Terry Pendleton moves over to the first base slot, and in comes new batting coach Larry Parrish.

With all the young talent on the Braves team, all Gonzalez has to do is gel the players to his philosophy of coaching, which is similar to Cox's style. There is one thing to say, Gonzalez learned from the best during his time in Atlanta as the third base coach. The defense is intact with longtime third baseman Chipper Jones and sophomore year right fielder Jason Heyward. Hopefully Jones can stay healthy. But age and the wear and tear on his body are not in his favor. The decision will come down to who will be the number one starter on Opening Day on Saturday, April 2 at Washington Nationals.

So the next time you are driving around the city of Atlanta and see a Harley Davidson wiff by you, give him a thumbs up and know that you are behind him in this new era of Braves baseball.